Getting the idea stuck in my head
I was digging around old American history stuff online last weekend when I kept seeing this crazy story about tobacco saving Jamestown colonists from starving. Thought to myself – why not actually try growing this stuff like those 1607 guys did? Ordered heirloom Virginia gold seeds off some gardening site before I could overthink it.
Total disaster at seed starting
Completely underestimated these tiny seeds. Spilled half the packet just opening it – they’re smaller than pepper flakes! Followed advice to sprinkle them on damp soil without covering. Put the tray near radiator for warmth like forums said. Checked three days later – zilch. Almost gave up when fuzzy little sprouts suddenly popped on day 12. Felt like winning lottery.
Transplant mess in backyard
Waited till sprouts got four leaves then moved ’em outside. Dug holes where morning sun hits best. Didn’t realize how much space these greedy plants need – ended up with overcrowded jungle. Lesson learned:
- Measured spacing wrong – need 2 feet between plants
- Bunnies ate three seedlings overnight
- Forgot hardening off step so four more got sunburned
Planted twenty – ten survivors looked rough but alive.
The waiting game with these diva plants
Watering became part-time job. Leaves drooped like sad puppies if soil dried even slightly. Got paranoid after finding aphids under leaves – sprayed garlic water religiously. Tallest plant hit hip height by July. Saw these pinkish trumpet flowers bloom – felt proud until remembering I had to pinch them off for bigger leaves. Felt cruel cutting their tops!
Harvesting madness
Late August some leaves started yellowing at bottom. Picked those first – sticky sap got everywhere, ruined my good shirt. Waited for rest to ripen over three weeks:
- Hung bundles upside down in garage rafters
- Checked daily for mold
- Nailed thermometer/hygrometer for curing conditions
Browned leaves smelled sweet – not like cigarette smoke at all.
Final reckoning
After six weeks curing, sorted leaves by color – lost a third to spots during rainy spell. Tried shredding some – turned into twiggy mess. Finally got usable shred after microwaving leaves. Rolled crude cigars using corn husks for old-time feel. When neighbor tried it and didn’t gag, knew I’d sorta succeeded. No fortune like those colonists made, but finally understood why this crop changed everything for settlers.
